Automatically-revolving billboard



Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,205

l v T. c. GOWER ET A1.

AUTOMLICALLY REVOLVING BILLBOARD Filed v061,25. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 22, 1927.

1,650,205 T. c. GowER ET Al. l

AUTOMATICALLY REVOLVING BILLBO'ARD Filed 0C.25 19% 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO EY Patented' Nov; 2z, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,650,205 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS CHARLES GOWEB AND JOSHUA HUDSON WILLIAMS, OF GREENVILLE, SOUTH 1 CAROLINA. Y

AUTOMATICALLY-REVOLVING BILLBOARD.

Application filed October 25, 1926. Serial No. 143,997.

The object of our invention is to provide an .improvement in signboards commonly known as billboards whereby such boards may be made in a series of sections joined together, forming a triangle,cube, hexagon, octagon, or other plurality of Sections and to provide meansv for automatically revolving such a sectional billboard and stopping lit 'at desired intervals and capable of arrangelo ment for operating in a variety lof ways.L

It is also an object of our invention to provide mechanism which can be made of iireproof construction and which is eiiicicnt in operation.

We attain these and other objects of our invention by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,-`

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ex# terior of a three-unit' machine constructed 'l in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail-sectional'view on a vertical plane adjacent to and at one side of member 13; f

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view with members 26, 25, 24 and 23 shown in side elevation;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectionk on Yline 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view of members 15, 16, 19, 17 and 20.V l

Like numerals designate like parts in each of the several views. i

Referring to the accompanying drawings we provide a frame 1 of the'desired shape, having a floor 2 on which is mounteda bearing block 3 supporting a rotatable center,

shaft 4, the upper end of which is rotatably mounted in the top supporting frame 8. We provide a revolving'sign 5 having any de- --sired number of sides, on the exterior of which posters or signs may be displayed, units of four sides being illustrated in the present drawings. Each of these units has a top supporting frame 7 and base cross beams 6 affixed to the center shaft 4 and to the sides 5. The number of crossbeams corresponds with the number of sides-to the units, one beam engaging each side. We provide a suitable electric or other motor 11 operatively connected, as by belt 10..to the sign operating shaft 9. Afiixed to the under side of the-beams 6 and center shaft 4 isa revolving disc 12. We provide starting .blocks 26 depending from the under sidevof ycarried by sector 13;

revolutions a minute.

each of the cross beams 6. KeyedI on" the operating shaft 9 is a starting cam 23 which is provided with a pivotally mounted shock absorbing arm 24 and a spring 25 interposed between said arm and the starting' cam 23. Members 24 and 23 operate against` block 26 to set the device revolving. i

` Eachlwall of the billboard carries a block 18 positioned to be kengaged by a brake shoe 17. Aretaining orguidev arm 2O carried on the `outer end of brake rod 16 guides brake shoe 17 in properv alignment with block 18. Ne provide a suitable lbrake spring mechanism 19 on-each rod 16 as shown in detail on Fig. 2. Brake rod 16 is pivotallyconnected toa 'brake releasing cam plate 15 which is vmountedon the center shaft 4 as shown in Fig. 2. Cam plate has `a flat cam face 21. VVe'provide a-sector 13 affixed to operating shaft 9 and of suitable size toA frlctionally engage the'y revolving disc 12.

Ve also provide a brake releasing armV 14 In the machine illust-rated in Fig. 1 three units are provided', designated respectively,

A B and C. In operation unit A turns ninety degrees and stops. When it has finished 'turning unit `B turns 90 degrees and stops, and then unit C turns ninety degrees and stops. Unit A then starts again and the sequence of movements is repeated.y

The rotation of eachunit is accomplished as follows. Operating shaft .9, driven by motor 11 turns at the desired speed, say four Sector' 13 which is rigidly keyed' on operatingV shaft 9 carries theprojecting arm.14, which contacts with the cam Iface 21 ofcam 15 and rotates cam tion and the spring mechanisms 19 again move them into their. outermost position into contact with the blocks 18 carried by the walls of the billboard to stop the unit when it has turned ninety degrees. l

The cams and sector for unit B are displaced one hundred twenty ydegrees from those Which operate unit A While the corresponding parts for unit C are displaced 5 two hundred forty degrees from unit A. A corresponding arrangement of parts and operating members of suitable number may be provided for billboads when made in the form of a triangle, hexagon, Octagon or the like. 'Ihe units of the billboard are automatically revolved and stopped at pre-determined intervals, singly or in groups, and simultaneously or at alternate periods as may ie desired. It is within the contemplation 15 of our invention 'to suitably ornament the signboards for the purpose of attracting attention. The units when revolved can make one complete sign on ythe front of the machine, or may be divided into more than ene sign. The mechanism is Vso constructed that Wind interference or any lother interference in the turning of the units will not do any damage as the units automatically adjust themselves to the proper alignment after such interference.

What We claim is-d Y l. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a revolving billboard having a plurality of sides adapted to carry posters or signs, a stationary frame on which the revolving billboard is mounted, means revolubly supporting the poster-bearing sides, a plurality of brakesv adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the sides of the revolving billboard to intermittently hold saine in stationary position, actuating means for setting the device into/operation, automatically controlled means for applying and releasing the brakes at pre-determined intervals, a common operating shaft on which the revolving billboard is supported and to which the actuating means controlling the brakes is operatively connected for revolving the billboard and also for controlling the braking means.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a revoluble hollow billboard unit having a plurality of sides adapted to carry advertising matter, means for revolubly supporting the unit, power-controlled means for automatically revolving the unit to bring successive signs into vietv at pre-determined intervals, means for automatically applying brake shoes to bring the unit Vto a stop" in predetermined positions at successive intervals, and a common powercontrolled operating .shaft arranged to actuate both the unit revolving means and the aforesaid braking means.

*In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a billboard unit comprisinga hollovv structure having plurality of sides Vfor the displayof advertising matter, a central post on which the unit is revolubly mounted, means for mounting 'said post,

cross beams ext-ending to each of the Walls of the unit, a depending lug on each cross beam, a starting cam adapted to be swung into operative engagement with said lug to revolve the unit, a power-controlled operating shaft on which said starting cam is affixed, brake shoes and means for automatically applying said brake shoes to bring the unit to a stop in pre-determined positions vat successive intervals, .saidmeans being actuated by the aforesaid central post.

el. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a billboard unit comprising a hollow structure having a plurality of sides for the display of advertising inatter, a central post on which the unit is revolubly mounted, means yfor mounting said post, cross beams extending to each of the walls of the unit, a depending lug on each cross beam, a starting cam adapted to be swung into operative engagement with said lug to revolve the unit, a power-controlled operating shaft on which said starting cam is affixed, and an automatically controlled braking means arranged for operation at pre-determined intervals to sto-p the unit after each successive partialrevoluti'on.

5. In an apparatus of the class described,`

the combination of a billboard unit comprising a hollow structure having a plurality of sides for the display of advertising matter, acentral post on which the unit is revolubly mounted, means for mounting said post, cross beams extendii'ig tov each of the Walls of the unit, a depending lug on' each cross beam, a starting cam adapted to be swung into operative engagement with Asaid lug to revolve the unit, a power-controlled operating shaft on which said starting cam is affixed, and a sector mounted onthe operating shaft, a disc mounted on the under side of the cross beams Withivhich the sector frictionally engages to revolve the unit for a pre-determined distance and auto-matically controlled braking means arranged: for operation at pre-determined intervals to stop lie unit aft-er each successive partial revoluion.

tuo

6. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a. billboard unit comprising a hollow structure having a plurality of sides for the display of advertising matter, acentral post on which the unit is revolubly mounted, means for mounting said post, cross beams extending to each of the ivalls of the unit, a. depending lug onV each cross beam, a starting `cam adapted to be swung into operative engagement with said lug to revolve the unit, va power-controlled operating shaft on which said starting cam vis ai'iiired, a sector mounted on the operating 'sh-aft, a disc Vmounti-id on the under side of the cross beams with `which the 'sector frictionally engages to revolve the unit for a vpre-detejrrnirled distance, a cam dise -act-uated by the aforesaid sector, a plurality of brake shoes, resiliently controlled rods actuating said brake shoes, said rods being pivotally connected to the aforesaid cam disc, whereby the brake shoes are applied with each successive operation of the sector, to bring the unit to a stop at successive inter vals as each successive poster side of the unit is brought into a new display position.

7. In an apparatus oit the class described, a series of billboard units each having a hollow structure having a plurality of sides for the display of advertising matter, a central post on which the unit is revolubly` mounted, means for mounting said post, cross beams extending to each of the walls of the unit, a depending lug on each cross beam, a .starting cam adapted to be swung into operative engagement with said lug to revolve the unit, a power-controlled operat-. ing shaft on which said starting cam is afliXed, a sector mounted on the operating shaft, a disc mounted on the under side of the cross beams with which the sector frictionally engages to revolve the unit ior a pre-determined distance, va cam disc actuated by the aforesaid sector, a plurality of brake shoes, resiliently controlled rods actuating said brake shoes, said rods being pivotally connected tothe aforesaid cam disc, whereby the brake shoes are applied with each successive operation of the sector, to bring the unit toi a stop at successive intervals as each successive poster side ofthe unit is brought into a new display position, the aforesaid units being actuated from a common operating shaft.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a series of billboard units each having a hollow structure having a plurality of sides for the display of advertising matter, a central post on which the unit is revolubly mounted, means for mounting said post, cross beams extending to each ofthe walls of the unit, a depending lug oneacli cross beam, a start-ing cam adapted to be swung into operative engagement with said lug to revolve the unit, a power-controlled operating shaft on which said starting cam is ailixed, a sector mounted on the operating shaft, a disc mounted on the under side of the cross beams with which the sector' frictionally engages to revolve the unit for a pre-determined distance, a cam disc actuated by the aforesaid sector, a plurality of brake shoes, resiliently controlled rods actuating said brakev shoes, said rods being pivotally connected to the aforesaid cam disc, whereby the brake shoes are applied with each successive operationV of the sector, to bring the unit to a stop at successive intervals as each successive poster side of the unit is brought into a new display. position, the aforesaid units being actuated from a common operat ing lshaft and arranged to be successively revolved.

THOMAS CHARLES GOVVER. JOSHUA* HUDSON .VILLIAMS. 

